Wow, here is an image by Satoshi Ota on ALPO Japan from last night, already. I am a little shocked by their similarities. And, dang it, should have believed my lying eyes. Saw a faint wisp from that festoon and doubted myself.

Was particulary interested in the NNTB, the area above the faint spot, and what the heck I was seeing above the NTB - a patch of faint albedo north of the NTB.

Anyway, I think the colors are nowhere near what his image shows. Again, trying too hard and probably not doing a great job. Need one of those paint color charts outside...at night.

The north is too green, but that's something in the translation gone wrong. I don't think my pallet is that green. It might be. Maybe the whole image is a bit too green.

Anyway, the NEB appears completely washed out with two barges: one prominent, the other pretty faint. What was striking, however, was the way those two rifts rose into the NEB almost like two streams emanating from the EZ. The NEB lacked it's ruddy glow, but it was more reddish than the SEB.

Speaking of which, the SEB is a little less boring at CMI ~40. There is some activity along the edge of the SEBn.

Got another white spot. Glimpsed it, posted it, and got lucky there actually is one just about right there.

That you picked off that spot in the north polar region is incredible. That's paler than those white spots but you got it. You've hit a stride with your Jupiter observing/sketching that's unlike last year in spades. This is a whole other level Norme. You've got to be proud. The last several renderings are terrific.

Pete, that fainter spot appeared clearly about once. I kept it because it was so clearly visible for a good second or two. I cannot find it in any image, though. However, since lighter hues in the north are seen routinely, I felt comfortable with the observation.

That fainter spot just south of the NNTB seemed to have a lighter streak over the top and some very difficult darker albedo above that. That was a difficult observation.

Yea, I really think, over time, the lessor CO is really adding to the enjoyment. Sometimes I cannot believe it myself, I just look down in awe wishing someone were here to see it, too. And sometimes I am a bit leery of posting a sketch, but that is really pretty much what's there in good seeing, cooled and perfectly collimated. I just cannot deny it, though, and those details do not always come easy. Gotta be patient and focused - both mechanically and mentally.

Yea, Jupiter has really been something this year. Thank you for saying so, Pete. I am proud, and am feeling the need to see what else can be pulled from that scope under these conditions. That's why I want to push the envelop on color perception. Is there anything more to be seen? What are the limits? I get that from you, BTW.

Thank you, Frank. I do truly feel blessed with a good scope in great conditions. Jupiter has been very kind.

I really don;t want to harp on MTF, but I feel my scope is working right at it's limits in steady skies, cooled and collimated. It regularly gives those great views those moments of steady seeing allow..those views we wait for patiently. That is a blessing, and though I am not entirely a religious man, I do thank God at times.

Norme, very impressive in every respect. I have observed the little white spot in the South Cap with great effort and patience. The North Cap, WOW! There is so much detail to observe and not enough time or clear skies. The planets seem to come and go way too quickly.

Really glad that you captured that "scratch" along the northern edge of the STB. I thought that I might have been imagining it, but if you're also seeing it, then something is definitely going on there (or, at least, was going on...did not see it this morning (12-17-2012; 0510 UT)).